Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 23
Perceived challenges to the sustainability of community-based aging initiatives: findings from a National Study of Villages
- Authors:
- LEHNING Amanda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 58(7-8), 2015, pp.684-702.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Concerns have been raised regarding the sustainability of Villages, a rapidly-expanding set of organisations that typically use a participant-directed approach to improve older adults’ quality of life and ability to age in place. Using online survey and telephone-interview data from a 2013 follow-up study of Villages across the United States, this study examined organisational leaders’ perceptions of the major challenges to sustainability. Major challenges identified included: (a) funding, (b) membership recruitment, (c) leadership development, (d) meeting members’ service needs, and (e) limitations of the Village model itself. Findings point to a number of important considerations for the development, implementation, and sustainability of the Village model, including the role of social workers in addressing these challenges. (Edited publisher abstract)
Integrating occupational therapy services: playing the long game
- Author:
- KELLY Janet
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 23(4), 2015, pp.185-193.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the critical areas of work in any long-term strategy to develop integrated occupational therapy services across health and social care for adults who are frail and elderly and living in their local communities. It explores the success that has been experienced in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board over the past eight years or more and proposes “keeping the faith” as a helpful personal strategy in avoiding disillusionment and disengagement in the process when setbacks occur along the way. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is a combination of personal reflection and experience, with reference to the literature and what has been written about others’ professional experiences at bringing services and professional groups together. Findings: Developing integrated occupational therapy services is not easy. However there are several critical factors, which once understood for their role in the overall process, add weight to the 'right thing to do' argument. These 'critical factors' provide a continued focus for the work when the challenges inherent in developing integrated services are in danger of outweighing the successes and the pressure is strong to revert to the default position of single agency service delivery. Originality/value: This paper makes an effort to pursue integrated occupational services to serve as an example of wider attempts to pursue collaboration and integration, highlighting the need for remaining doggedly determined on the final objective – better services for people. (Publisher abstract)
Narratives of home and place: findings from the Housing and Independent Living Study
- Authors:
- MACKENZIE Lynette, CURRYER Cassie, BYLES Julie E.
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 35(8), 2015, pp.1684-1712.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
As populations age, increased focus is given to the importance of enabling older people to age in place. The study reported in this paper explored the extent to which older people considered their homes and neighbourhoods to be ‘supportive’, and sought to increase understanding of the needs and experiences of older people and their expectations of future housing needs. This paper reports qualitative data from the Housing and Independent Living (HAIL) study carried out in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 202 community-dwelling people aged 75-79 years. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using computer-assisted qualitative analysis and a narrative approach to identify broad themes. Thematic analysis was used to examine and understand how occupants subjectively viewed their homes, and how they planned to adapt/modify either their activities or homes to accommodate changing needs. Six key themes emerged, namely housing choice, attachment to place, financial issues, changes to the home over time, transport, and anticipating the future. In this study, people who most strongly identified with and felt connected to their neighbours/communities had more positive perceptions of their homes and communities, and may be better able to remain in their home despite increasing disability or frailty. Housing policies and home and urban design should ensure home and neighbourhood environments are safe, accessible, promote positive associations, and are adaptable to facilitate independence and accommodate change as people age. (Publisher abstract)
Connecting caring communities 2015
- Author:
- CARE HOME OPEN DAY
- Publisher:
- Care Home Open Day
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 37
Reports on the activities and accomplishments of the Care Home Open Day 2015. The event encourages care homes to open their doors to their local communities, welcoming in the public to connect with residents and staff to create lasting links and developing relationships across the generations. More than 3,860 homes took part to the event across the UK alone. Of the 327 providers that completed the after event survey, the majority of homes received between 10 – 30 visitors and 5 homes had more than 100 guests. 56 per cent of care homes said they provide stimulating activity for their residents every day of the week, with the remainder carrying out activities a minimum of 3-6 times per week. 72 per cent of respondents said they think that taking part has a positive impact on their care home and the local community. 82 per cent used some form of social media to promote their involvement in Care Home Open Day 2015. Over 4,000 care homes across the globe collectively opened their doors this year to welcome visitors and create long-term connections with their local communities. The report shares stories and examples of how a number of care homes participated to the event. (Edited publisher abstract)
How can we make our cities dementia friendly? Sharing the learning from Bradford and York
- Authors:
- HARE Philly, DEAN Janet
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- York
This paper contributes to the emerging evidence base by drawing out the key messages from independent evaluations of York and Bradford dementia friendly communities (DFCs). DFCs aim to be accessible, inclusive, welcoming and supportive to those affected by dementia, enabling them to contribute to, and participate in, mainstream society. The report shows that: the active, meaningful engagement of people with dementia and their families is fundamental; DFCs must engage with, and achieve equity for, all people with dementia, whatever their circumstances; practical barriers to inclusion must be addressed if normal lives are to be continued; the human rights of people with dementia and carers must be recognised and promoted; DFCs must be underpinned by ongoing awareness raising, training and positive media coverage; connections and networks, within and beyond the community, are at the heart of DFCs; local grassroots community activity is the bedrock of DFCs and must be supported by strong strategic planning, commissioning and leadership; both primary and secondary health providers have a vital role to play in supporting social inclusion. The report concludes that there is no template and each community must develop its own approach. (Edited publisher abstract)
Evaluation of the Bradford Dementia Friendly Communities Programme
- Authors:
- DEAN Janet, et al
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 42
- Place of publication:
- York
This is a report of an evaluation of the impact of, and learning from, the Dementia Friendly Communities (DFC) Programme in Bradford, jointly supported by Bradford Council and JRF for two years from April 2013 to March 2015. The report identifies the distinctive features of the programme, which reflect the diverse geography and culture of the district and examines: how people with dementia can influence what a dementia friendly Bradford should be like; the main challenges which will need to be addressed to ensure that progress continues; and the learning for others who are trying to build dementia friendly communities. The evaluation used a range of approaches including individual interviews, group discussions and an online questionnaire. In addition a range of meetings was observed, and the evaluation team hosted a ‘sounding board’ workshop to test initial findings. Overall, the evaluation shows that there is a strategic approach to building dementia friendly communities across a geographically and culturally diverse district. This has engaged key partners at local and strategic levels. The experience of living with dementia is affected by existing inequalities in the population, such as those based on race and economic deprivation, and this means that barriers for some people are worse than others. The report concludes that more involvement of people with dementia and their carers will lead to a better understanding of what makes a DFC for different groups and how to achieve this. (Edited publisher abstract)
Associative participation of older adults and subjective quality of life: exploring self-selection bias
- Authors:
- AHMED-MOHAMED Karim, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 35(7), 2015, pp.1343-1363.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Active ageing policies seek to increase the quality of life of older people in three areas: health, security and participation. This paper focuses on a specific type of participation: associations. Its objective is to explore the possible self-selection effects of this type of participation, using global subjective quality of life indicators (satisfaction with life) and domain-specific indicators (satisfaction with leisure, community social integration and emotional resources). For this, a structural equation modelling analysis was conducted, taking into account bi-directional relationships between the variables of interest. The data come from a conditions and quality of life survey conducted in 2008 among a sample of 1,106 individuals aged 60 or over, living in community-dwellings in Spain. The results illustrate a complex model of relationships in which associative participation is not statistically significantly associated with the satisfaction measures used. This highlights the importance of self-selection effects and raises the issue of the effectiveness of associative participation as a tool to enhance the life satisfaction of older adults. (Publisher abstract)
Age and the environment: the global movement towards age-friendly cities and communities
- Authors:
- BEARD John R., MONTAWI Basant
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 29(1), 2015, pp.5-11.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Populations around the world are rapidly ageing, with some of the fastest change occurring in less-developed countries. One of the key determinants of the capabilities of older people, and whether they can achieve the things that are meaningful to them, is the environment in which they live. There is growing interest globally on how to foster “age-friendly” environments, and the World Health Organization's Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities now includes over 250 member cities with responsibility for around 100 million people. This paper outlines the background to the Network and describes some innovative strategies being adopted by members in different parts of the world. (Publisher abstract)
The ideal neighbourhood for ageing in place as perceived by frail and non-frail community-dwelling older people
- Authors:
- DIJK Hanna M. van, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 35(8), 2015, pp.1771-1795.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Due to demographic changes and a widely supported policy of ageing in place, the number of community-dwelling older people will increase immensely. Thus, supportive neighbourhoods enabling older people to age in place successfully are required. Using Q-methodology, this study examined older people's perceptions of the comparative importance of neighbourhood characteristics for ageing in place. Based on the World Health Organization's Global Age-friendly Cities guide and the eight domains identified (outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social approval, civic participation, communication and information, and community support and health services), the authors developed 26 statements about physical and social neighbourhood characteristics. Thirty-two older people in Rotterdam, half of whom were frail, rank-ordered these statements. Q-factor analysis revealed three distinct viewpoints each among frail and non-frail older people. Comparisons within and between groups are discussed. Although both frail and non-frail older people strongly desired a neighbourhood enabling them to age in place, they have divergent views on such a neighbourhood. Older people's dependence on the neighbourhood seems to be dynamic, affected by changing social and physical conditions and levels of frailty. (Edited publisher abstract)
Evidence review: loneliness in later life
- Authors:
- DAVIDSON Susan, ROSSALL Phil
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 30
- Place of publication:
- London
- Edition:
- Updated
This updated review is a summary of available evidence from research on loneliness in later life and it is intended to serve as an evidence base and promote discussion on the topic. The review focuses on loneliness in the community. Loneliness can be understood as an individual’s personal, subjective sense of lacking desired affection, closeness, and social interaction with others while social isolation refers to a lack of contact with family or friends, community involvement, or access to services. The report examines approaches to measuring loneliness, the factors associated with loneliness in later life, the impact of loneliness in older people, and examples of interventions that work, including group activities, one-on-one interventions and befriending schemes. It concludes by setting out existing challenges and barriers and outlining future trends. (Edited publisher abstract)